John Boehner again opted to keep the measure free of controversial legislative riders. |
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Nonetheless there was concern in the Senate over a more than $1 billion cut from the General Services Administration’s construction and repair fund for federal buildings. If made permanent it would have a major impact on investments already made, such as the new Homeland Security headquarters, and there is sure to be pressure to restore some of the funds as part of the final budget deal.

The administration is expected to support quick passage next week, thereby averting any threat of a shutdown March 18, when the current continuing resolution or CR expires. But at his press conference Friday, Obama said it was “irresponsible” to keep running the government on such short term bills and the dragged out negotiations with Republicans now defy “common sense.”

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“We’ve got a war in Afghanistan going on, a wide range of issues facing the country on a day to day basis,” Obama said. “The notion that we can’t get resolved last year’s budget in a sensible way with serious but prudent spending cuts I think defies common sense.”

Boehner gave no ground, saying the burden is still on Senate Democrats and Obama to come up with a viable alternative to a House-passed package cutting about $61 billion from the level of annual appropriations when this Congress began in January.

“The people’s House has already taken a clear position,” the speaker said. “Now the burden remains on the Senate and White House to come forward with a coherent position that will facilitate discussions leading to enactment of a long-term measure that cuts spending.”

This is something of a stall, since the Senate soundly rejected the House bill this week 56-44—a vote Boehner himself encouraged to help set the terms of the talks, In his statement Friday, the speaker took comfort in the fact that the Democratic alternative fared even worse, getting two fewer votes than his own. But this ignores the fact all the Democratic defectors also opposed his bill and his extra margin was built on the reluctant support of GOP moderates who are impatient for negotiators—including the speaker—to now find a compromise.

This is outrageous nowhere does this article state that this extension is funding Obamacare. The Republicans are renigging on their promise to DEFUND OBAMACARE and the media like good little soldiers are coveringing it up. There is 105 billion in funding for OBAMCARE in this extension. We can not rely that the supreme court will strike it down. There is a good chance they wont and the country will be stuck with the worst injustice perpetrated on the American people since slavery. I realize that is a bold statement, but it will come to be known as that.

This is all too simple. If the POtuS had any balls, he would lead - but he doesn't know how to do that. I can't believe I'm agreeing with Hillary, but the only thing this guy knows how to do is vote "present", while having basketball parties and Motown nights at the White House.

It's obvious to all that the budget is a train wreck, completely out of control and we will be destroyed if we don't get serious about cutting expenditures now. $2 billion a week is the least we can do, and we need to get rolling NOW

Obama should just sit down and stay out of the way. The Dems have no sense at all.

I agree with comment #1. Lets just shut the government down and defund The Obamas from traveling around America and the world on taxpayers dime telling the unions workers and Democratic voters how lucky they are to have him to worship. Wonder how long before he is granted sainthood?

these losers got us into this mess by giving all the money to the banks and the rich and now they want to screw us some more. how much longer are the morons who call themselves conservatives going to support this raping of the citizens. only those very few at the top are benefiting...

Not good enough. That should be Trillions not billions. This is chump change. We pay all these political hacks to fail at what one good accountant could do, balance our budget. I want to see some REAL cuts and REAL reform on medicare and medicaid. Two of the biggest leeches on our fiscal budget. Those two alone make up our GDP for the year. Enough already! Someone slap the credit card out of obamas hand. That community organizer and puppet for Farakan and Soros is out of control. Now they want to raise the debt ceiling? Idiotic. I am disgusted with out government. 2012 cant come soon enough.

yes lets cut trillions, step one tell military no money for you want to come home buy a plane ticket stop all medicare payments as well all social security checks defund all police and firefighters and any other service you can think of. step 2 change our name to Somalia